Mexico (Perote): “Operation Solidarity Potato,” an initiative to sell directly to consumers and save potato crops

To avoid middlemen, guarantee sales, and enhance the work of  small producers, the "Operation Solidarity Potato"  project was launched  , offering the population cambray potatoes harvested in the municipality of Perote.

This project was launched by Merayz Elire, a young woman who has worked directly with small producers in this municipality, known for its  production  of this tuber, whose cultivation is associated with  cold climates.

The first step is to sell 500 kilograms of  cambray potatoes  harvested by a producer who has had difficulty placing the food on the  market , as intermediaries are offering him only 3 pesos per kilogram. 

"This year, the price of potatoes is far below profitability for small producers. Many have invested a lot of time, money, and effort, and they won’t recover their investment ," the young woman who launched the project explained on social media.

Promotion of local consumption

This first boost for producers seeks to obtain the collaboration of the Xalapa population, to whom  potatoes are being offered by the kilogram upon request . 

Trusting in the results that can be achieved with social media, the message was sent publicly, which has already received favorable responses.

"These are people who have been involved in potato production for generations, and in recent years they’ve faced pests, erosion, natural soil erosion, and the selling price. Some years they do poorly, and others they can make a profit, but this year there were difficulties in getting the product out,"  he said.

The intention is for the sale to be made directly with the producer,  thus avoiding intermediaries , the devaluation of farm work, and the lack of empathy that is sometimes shown towards producers.

"We support solidarity so that producers don’t have to go through complications. I believe it’s very valuable to promote local consumption and ensure that their work reaches more people, in addition to ensuring that direct purchases recognize their work,"  he commented.

This is the beginning of the project, but  it is planned to collaborate with more producers  and create a public space for the supply and demand of food that comes directly from the fields.

The price per kilogram of this type of potato is 25 pesos, and for orders of 2 kilograms or more, the unit price is 20 pesos. Orders can be placed through  Merayz Elire’s Facebook page , where responses are received as quickly as possible.